SOUTHINGTON - A local sex offender has pleaded not guilty to charges he arranged a meeting with who he thought was a teenage boy and asked for photos of his genitals.

Keith Dubin, 31, of 146 Delahunty Drive, appeared Wednesday in Bristol Superior Court, where officials said his case will be prosecuted there. There had been some question as to whether the proceedings would take place in court in New Britain - where the most serious matters in the area are held.

During the hearing, Dubin - who is being held on $100,000 bond - pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal attempt to commit risk of injury to a minor and criminal attempt to commit possession of child pornography. He is due back in court on Oct. 18.

According to the arrest warrant, Dubin, a registered sex offender, contacted a man posing as a 14-year-old boy on a homosexual dating application on July 21. The man is part of a Facebook group called the POP (Prey on Predators) Squad. The group has been responsible for at least two other arrests in the area in a similar sting operation.

During the correspondences, Dubin immediately turnd the conversation sexual, police allege, before the POP Squad member asks if he is mad that he will be turning 15 soon. Dubin, the warrant said, then blocks the POP Squad member from having any contact with him on the app and doesn’t contact him again until Aug. 17.

According to the warrant, during the second correspondence, Dubin apologizes for blocking the POP Squad member and insists he’s not mad that the profile says he is only 14 years old. Dubin then has the user send him photos and, after receiving a few that depict a younger male, he allegedly asks for more, including a request that he send some showing his genitals - which were ultimately not exchanged.

The two then exchanged phone numbers and began texting each other between Aug. 17 and 18, when they eventually agree to meet at a Dunkin’ Donuts. There, the POP Squad member reveals he is an adult. He films the entire encounter, in which Dubin admits he is attracted to young boys and says he has a problem that he is trying to get help for, the warrant said.

Police allege that Dubin implied the encounter between him and who he thought was a teenager would be sexual in nature based on the conversations the two had had.

The POP Squad member later went to police with the text conversations between him and Dubin, as well as a copy of the video of their meeting at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Dubin’s criminal history includes convictions of possession of child pornography, risk of injury to a minor and violation of probation. He is a registered sex offender.

Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or at jmuszynski@centralctcommunications.com.